Tag Archives: Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene Alexandria AL 36250

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Alexandria Alabama

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near Alexandria AL is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than picking the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to consider as well, including the program’s accreditation and reputation. Your initial step is to decide which of the 2 specialties you are most interested in receiving training for, which may depend on the amount of money and time that you are willing to commit. The most typical dental assistant program usually takes about 1 year to finish for a certificate or diploma. On the other hand, dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, which can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to accomplish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a dental hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these issues and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the programs you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of both dental hygienists and assistants and the training options available.

The Role of a Dental Hygienist

When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is probably that the dental hygienist works more independently. As previously mentioned, the dental assistant works with and assists the practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the Alexandria AL practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains

Applying fluoride treatments

Polishing teeth and applying sealants

Teaching patients regarding oral hygiene

Taking X-rays and developing film

Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to passing any state licensure exams. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

The Job of Dental Assistants

Dental assistants are an integral part of any Alexandria AL dental practice and can undertake a variety of functions. Their fundamental job description is to give assistance to the admin staff and the dentists. In other words, to help keep the practice operating successfully. Some dental assistants opt to specialize and obtain certification in a specific area, such as pediatrics. Even so the majority of assistants carry out any job that they are called upon to complete, including:

Setting and verifying appointments

Prepping patients for teeth treatments and cleanings

Preparing and sterilizing instruments for dentists

Using suction equipment to clear patients’ mouths

Giving instruments to dentists during procedures

Preparing X-ray machines and handling X-rays

Ordering dental and office supplies

Certification and licensing requirements for dental assistants vary by state, so check with the Alabama dental board for your state’s policies. Assistants dealing with X-ray machines most likely will have to be licensed and certified. Most dental assistants who are either required or elect to become certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam provided by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Dental Hygienist & Assistant Education Options

Dental assistant programs are offered at Alexandria AL area junior colleges along with vocational or technical schools. The most frequent credential earned is the certificate, which usually takes about a year to complete. There are less Associate Degree programs available, and they furnish a more comprehensive education, including general subjects in addition to the dental assisting classes. As a result of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in dental practices are usually required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost every state. They are also offered in Alexandria AL area community colleges and technical schools. Regardless of whether you are pursuing training as a dental hygienist or assistant, there will be a clinical aspect to the training also. Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

Choosing an online dental hygienist college may be a viable option for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Alexandria AL home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to obtain the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the best option for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

Once you have picked the dental specialization and type of credential you want to attain, you can begin the procedure of comparing Alabama programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for some online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the Alexandria AL area programs you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the Certified Dental Assistant examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Employers in Alexandria AL frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited Alabama colleges.

Is The Correct Dental Program Available? You can decide to train to become a dental hygienist or a dental assistant, just confirm that the Alabama school you decide on has the program that’s right for you. For the assistant program, the choices are to enroll in a certificate program or earn an Associate Degree. If you want to have a career as a hygienist, many Alexandria AL dental offices require an Associate Degree in dental hygiene. Higher degrees, although not prevalent, are available. However, keep in mind that even if a school has a good reputation and accreditation does not mean each one of its programs do as well. For example, an accredited school may have a solid accredited dental assistant program, but may have a weaker or non-accredited hygienist program. So if you are only interested in a dental hygiene degree, naturally it would not be the right school for you.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Many dental schools have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the Alexandria AL school you select offers clinical rotation in a local dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are probably the best method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional Alexandria AL dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the local dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygiene colleges require assistance landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Alexandria AL dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Small? Check with the Alabama colleges you are interested in how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in Alexandria AL.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental college, you must verify that the hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to attend classes near your Alexandria AL home in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Dental Hygienist?

When prepping to interview for a Dental Hygiene job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Dental Hygiene candidates is "What made you choose Hygiene as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming a Dental Hygienist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Hygiene, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Dental Hygienist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Alexandria AL

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is crucial if you wish to take the CDA examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options offered to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever credential or mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Alexandria AL.

A Bit About Alexandria Alabama

Alexandria

Alexandria (/ˌælɪɡˈzændriə/ or /-ˈzɑːnd-/;[3]Arabic: الإسكندرية al-ʾIskandariyya; Egyptian Arabic: إسكندرية Eskendria; Coptic: Ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁ, Ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ Alexandria, Rakotə) is the second-largest city in Egypt and a major economic centre, extending about 32 km (20 mi) along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country. Its low elevation on the Nile delta makes it highly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Alexandria is an important industrial center because of its natural gas and oil pipelines from Suez. Alexandria is also a popular tourist destination.

Alexandria was founded around a small, ancient Egyptian town c. 332 BC by Alexander the Great. It became an important center of Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Ptolemaic (Greek) Egypt and Roman and Byzantine Egypt for almost 1000 years, until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in AD 641, when a new capital was founded at Fustat (later absorbed into Cairo). Hellenistic Alexandria was best known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; its Great Library (the largest in the ancient world; now replaced by a modern one); and the Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Alexandria was the second most powerful city of the ancient world after Rome. Ongoing maritime archaeology in the harbor of Alexandria, which began in 1994, is revealing details of Alexandria both before the arrival of Alexander, when a city named Rhacotis existed there, and during the Ptolemaic dynasty.

From the late 18th century, Alexandria became a major center of the international shipping industry and one of the most important trading centers in the world, both because it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, and the lucrative trade in Egyptian cotton.

Alexandria is believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in April 332 BC as Ἀλεξάνδρεια (Alexandria). Alexander's chief architect for the project was Dinocrates. Alexandria was intended to supersede Naucratis as a Hellenistic center in Egypt, and to be the link between Greece and the rich Nile valley. Although it has long been believed only a small village there, recent radiocarbon dating of seashell fragments and lead contamination show significant human activity at the location for two millennia preceding Alexandria's founding [4]